Chef Kevin Dundon has become the sixth celebrity to hang up his dancing shoes and Stetson hat after being voted off Dancing with the Stars, along with pro-dancer Rebecca Scott.
Speaking about his time on the show Kevin said: "I feel great. I've had the time of my life. It's been an absolute pleasure getting to know this lady - she has the patience of a saint, our Rebecca!"
Rebecca said of Kevin, "He's so kind, so generous and a ray of sunshine!"
The two celebrities who found themselves in the dreaded dance off were Kevin and Aishah Akorede. And when the first three judges all nominated Aishah to stay, Kevin's time on the show had come to a conclusion.
Here's the lowdown on the rest of the ninth episode of the season:
Dancing with the Stars brought a never-before-seen twist to proceedings on Sunday evening with the introduction of a very special theme: Country Week!
In a first for the show, the six quarter finalists danced a series of toe-tapping country music-themed performances in honour of one of the most popular music genres in the country, transforming the dancefloor into a Nashville style honky tonk for one night only.
Taekwondo athlete, Jack Woolley opened the show dancing a Quickstep to Dasha’s 2024 top five hit Austin (Boots Stop Workin’) alongside his pro-dance partner Alex Vladimirov.
Judge Loraine Barry said: "You absolutely rocked the quick step. Well done."
Judge Arthur Gourounlian said: "That kicked in faster than my morning coffee! You were like a hurricane, it was effortless and electrifying! If the dance floor had a speed limit you’d have broken it."
Jack and Alex scored a total of 35 points.
Next up lip-syncing social media star Kayleigh Trappe and her partner Ervinas Merfeldas performed a romantic Rumba to I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton.
Judge Brian Redmond said: "Overall, I think you did a very good job. There were the odd moments where you lost a bit of softness in the body . . . .parts got as stiff as Dolly Parton's corset. But the rest of it was exemplary."
Judge Karen Byrne said: "The Rumba is difficult and that was particularly difficult because the music was very slow . . . You have to have a certain balance. I have to say you've some set of legs! Well done!"
Kayleigh and Ervinas scored a total of 33 points.
With a string of entertaining performances under his belt, chef, Kevin Dundon glided into week nine alongside his professional dance partner Rebecca Scott with a Charleston to Rompin' Stompin’ by Scooter Lee.
Brian Redmond said: "You’re not always everybody’s favourite but those who like you love you. I can’t believe I’m feeding into this but you’re becoming a guilty pleasure."
Karen Byrne said: "The Charleston is about having fun and making people smile. Did you do that? In bucket loads!"
Kevin and Rebecca scored a total of 21 points.
Following on from his leader board-topping dance last week, Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Rhys McClenaghan and his professional dance partner Laura Nolan performed an American Smooth to Nathan Carter’s version of Wagon Wheel.
Karen Byrne said, "It’s roasting in here but you give me goosebumps. You’re such a joy to look at. You make it look easy."
Loraine Barry said: "Everything and I mean everything was perfect in this routine… absolute perfection."
Rhys and Laura scored a total of 39 points.
Having earned her first ever 10 score paddle last week, former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede was hoping to maintain her good form when she and partner Robert Rowiński Jive to Lainey Wilson’s recent country hit, Hang Tight Honey.
Brian Redmond said: "Aishah with a capital A! The timing was a little behind Robert but lots of great jive content and overall lots of country cuteness."
Loraine Barry said, "Blondes certainly have more fun. And with that fun, you also have to have a lot of energy for that jive. I really enjoyed the whole production. Well done!"
Aishah and Robert score a total of 32 points
After finding himself in last Sunday’s Dance-Off, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll was hoping his luck would change when he and partner Salome Chachua took on a Quickstep to Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire.
Arthur Gourounlian said: "It was fun, fast and fantastic."
Loraine Barry said, "It was a toe tapping performance. You gave it your best and that’s all we can ask for."
Danny and Salome scored a total of 30 points.
Week nine also saw the annual Team Dance challenge return! After their individual dances, the final six couples were divided into two teams of three.
The couples performed again in their teams hoping to increase their judges’ score. Whatever points they earned in the Team Dance were added to their individual score meaning everything was to play for.
Team Footloose consisted of Kevin, Kayleigh and Jack dancing to Footloose by Kenny Loggins.
Loraine said, "Wow - that was incredible. Tremendous!"
Brian praised Kevin for being a "true leader" and Arthur admired Jack and Ervinas' helicopter lift saying how "versatile and powerful" they were.
Team Footloose scored a total of 35 points.Team Timber consisted of Danny, Aishah and Rhys dancing to Timber by Pitbull featuring Kesha.
Loraine said, "You knocked it out of the park - the lifts, the tricks, the synchronization!"
Arthur said, "You brought the magic. Aishah - you were shining and dominating the dancer floor."
Team Timber scored 39 points and won the challenge
The Pro dance was a Hoe-Down to The Girl's Gone Wild by Travis Tritt.
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